Sauk Chief Makataimeshekiakiah, or Black Hawk

Black Hawk War begins April 6, 1832

In April of 1832, the Winnebagoes, Saes, and Foxes, Indian tribes inhabiting the upper Mississippi, commenced hostilities under their celebrated chief, Black Hawk, re-entering the lands which had been sold to the United States, and which were now occupied by the citizens of Illinois.

The so-called sale of Indian lands was frequently anything but with the free-will of the red man, and, as in this very instance, the Sao Indians were extremely unwilling to vacate their lands; but American generals, of the same character as the president, unscrupulous and resolute, not troubled either with too much conscience or too much sensibility, were ever at hand ready to pledge themselves "within fifteen days to remove the Indians, dead or alive, over to the west side of the Mississippi."

The conduct of Black Hawk on this occasion is worthy to be related. Gaines, the American general, rose in the council of the chiefs, and said that the president was displeased with the refusal of the Saes to go to the west of the great river. Black Hawk replied that the Saes, of which he was the chief, had never sold their lands, and were determined to hold them.

Description: Sauk Chief Makataimeshekiakiah, or Black Hawk. Date: 1837. Source: McKenney, Thomas Loraine and James Hall. History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes, of the Principal Chiefs. Philadelphia: J. T. Bowen, 1848-1850. Author: Charles Bird King (1785–1862) This Image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired. This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1923 are copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office. Works published before 1923 (in this case 1865) are now in the public domain. This file is also in the public domain in countries that figure copyright from the date of death of the artist (post mortem auctoris in this case Sir John Tenniel (28 February 1820 – 25 February 1914), and that most commonly runs for a period of 50 to 70 years from December 31 of that year.

"Who is this Black Hawk? Is he a chief?" inquired the general. "What right has he in the council?"

Black Hawk rose, and gathering his blanket round him, walked out of the assembly. The next morning he was again in the council, and rising slowly, said, addressing the American general: "My father, you inquired yesterday, 'Who is this Black Hawk? Why does he sit among the chiefs?' I will tell you who I am. 1 am a Sac; my father was a Sac; I am a warrior, and so was my father. Ask those young men who have followed me to battle, and they will tell you who Black Hawk is; provoke our people to war, and you will learn who Black Hawk is."

TEXT CREDIT: A popular history of the United States of America By Mary Howitt